Football

Irish News Ulster All-Stars 2015: Kenny Archer's picks

Kenny Archer

Kenny Archer

Kenny is the deputy sports editor and a Liverpool FC fan.

Sean Quigley's display against Dublin may have endeared him to neutrals - but it was his performance against Antrim that really showcased the Roslea man's raw ability
Sean Quigley's display against Dublin may have endeared him to neutrals - but it was his performance against Antrim that really showcased the Roslea man's raw ability Sean Quigley's display against Dublin may have endeared him to neutrals - but it was his performance against Antrim that really showcased the Roslea man's raw ability

Andy Watters' All-Star selectionsOpens in new window ]


Paddy Heaney's All-Star selectionsOpens in new window ]


Brendan Crossan's All-Star selectionsOpens in new window ]

Tyrone, Monaghan and Donegal dominate Kenny Archer's Ulster All-Star selection.

Irish News Ulster All-Stars 2015: Kenny Archer's picks
Irish News Ulster All-Stars 2015: Kenny Archer's picks

GOALKEEPER


Paul Durcan (Donegal)


It’s an indication of the high standards that ‘Big Papa’ sets – and almost always reaches – that some observers suggested he should have saved the looping shot to the top corner from Mayo’s Lee Keegan. That was one of the few efforts on his goal that he didn’t keep out, making a series of superb reaction stops to prevent seemingly certain goals and also coming off his line to win one-on-one encounters. His kick-outs were intelligent and accurate too.

Irish News Ulster All-Stars 2015: Kenny Archer's picks
Irish News Ulster All-Stars 2015: Kenny Archer's picks

FULL-BACKS


Vinny Corey (Monaghan)


One of Monaghan’s many versatile players, he moved to full-back after Drew Wylie got injured. Restricted Sean Quigley to one point from play in the Ulster semi-final and held Michael Murphy scoreless in that regard in the provincial decider. The latter did have an injury but Corey has curtailed him before due to his power and persistence. Was solid on Tyrone’s Sean Cavanagh until injury forced him off at half-time.

Irish News Ulster All-Stars 2015: Kenny Archer's picks
Irish News Ulster All-Stars 2015: Kenny Archer's picks

Ronan McNamee (Tyrone)


Tyrone have only conceded one goal in the Championship and that’s due to good defenders. Cathal McCarron was quietly effective, Aidan McCrory too, but McNamee was consistently impressive. Always appears composed and calm, bringing the ball out of defence, even scoring on occasions. Gives up few frees and chances – the two points Conor McManus scored against him were quite astonishing.

Irish News Ulster All-Stars 2015: Kenny Archer's picks
Irish News Ulster All-Stars 2015: Kenny Archer's picks

Paddy McGrath (Donegal)


A regularly reliable performer this season, as he always was under Jim McGuinness. Was posted missing for Darren McCurry’s breakaway goal but that’s all the Tyrone man scored. Blotted out Jamie Clarke and did well against the very different challenge of Mark Lynch, then was very good in the Ulster final. Donegal’s best back against Mayo, even when moved onto Cillian O’Connor.

Irish News Ulster All-Stars 2015: Kenny Archer's picks
Irish News Ulster All-Stars 2015: Kenny Archer's picks

HALF-BACKS


Ryan McHugh (Donegal)


Had either of the McMahon brothers played regularly they might be contenders. Instead it’s between counter-attacking half-backs. Frank McGlynn had his moments, Tyrone’s Ronan McNabb was steady, Fermanagh’s Declan McCusker hit some great scores, but maybe more of a wing-forward. Ryan McHugh started slowly, but impresseded against Armagh and Derry and led the fightback against Monaghan. Scored goal against Galway at HQ.

Irish News Ulster All-Stars 2015: Kenny Archer's picks
Irish News Ulster All-Stars 2015: Kenny Archer's picks

Karl O’Connell (Monaghan)


Whenever Karl O’Connell turns on his turbo it’s a wonderful sight to behold, lighting up games. He often burned off opponents before providing the all-important end-product: either scoring himself, earning a free, or finding a well-placed team-mate. Got better as the Ulster Championship went on and Tyrone’s ability to nullify him was crucial to their quarter-final win.

Irish News Ulster All-Stars 2015: Kenny Archer's picks
Irish News Ulster All-Stars 2015: Kenny Archer's picks

Dessie Mone (Monaghan)


Defence is probably the most-debated department of this year’s team but absolutely no question about Dessie Mone’s inclusion. His past as an attacker ensured he can get forward with confidence, scoring in every game and also proving good assists. However, he doesn’t neglect his defensive duties. Curtailed Colm McFadden in the Ulster final and was one of the Ulster Champions’ star performers.

Irish News Ulster All-Stars 2015: Kenny Archer's picks
Irish News Ulster All-Stars 2015: Kenny Archer's picks

MIDFIELD 


Colm Cavanagh (Tyrone)


I’ve said for several seasons that we may need to introduce a specialist ‘sweeper’ category and that’s the role the Moy man usually plays. As it stands, though, he has to be hailed as an excellent defensive midfielder, so disciplined in getting back to protect his defence. Uses his height well to cut out the high balls and deserves to win an award this year and step out of his big brother Sean’s shadow.

Irish News Ulster All-Stars 2015: Kenny Archer's picks
Irish News Ulster All-Stars 2015: Kenny Archer's picks

Neil Gallagher (Donegal)


Glenswilly seems to breed giant all-rounders. Like Michael Murphy, Gallagher could play anywhere. Does his defensive duties, can operate as a target man too, and also wins a lot of ball with his height and strength, whether that’s around midfield, at the back, or up front. Yet it was his use of possession that was probably most impressive, with his clever kick-passing leading to goals against Tyrone, Armagh, and Derry.

Irish News Ulster All-Stars 2015: Kenny Archer's picks
Irish News Ulster All-Stars 2015: Kenny Archer's picks

HALF-FORWARDS


Peter Harte (Tyrone)


Another of the certainties for inclusion, the only talking point being should he be at half-back, midfield, or half-forward? Those questions arise because `Petey’ covers so much ground, making blocks, carrying the ball forward with confidence, and taking important scores, including the penalty against Meath. Also netted late on against Limerick thanks to his support play, and can score from distance too. Creative in both his kick- and hand-passing, powerful and quick in running at defences, he is key to Tyrone’s progress.

Irish News Ulster All-Stars 2015: Kenny Archer's picks
Irish News Ulster All-Stars 2015: Kenny Archer's picks

Michael Murphy (Donegal)


A force of nature, even if some of his scores seem unnatural, perhaps supernatural. An outstanding individual who still completely devotes himself to his team’s needs. Despite Justin McMahon’s close attentions his long range free-taking beat Tyrone, as was the case against Derry too, either side of him completely running the game from midfield against Armagh. Not fully fit against Monaghan, was fantastic at full-forward against Galway, and defiant in defeat against Mayo. A mention for Sean Cavanagh, who shares many of Murphy’s qualities.

Irish News Ulster All-Stars 2015: Kenny Archer's picks
Irish News Ulster All-Stars 2015: Kenny Archer's picks

Mattie Donnelly (Tyrone)


The Trillick man has operated in a variety of roles but always puts in a solid shift, somehow seeming to get stronger as the games go on. Did more defensive work at first but moving further forward, around the central third, kicked three points from play against both Tipperary and Sligo, then two late efforts against Monaghan as his powerful running proved too much on the counter-attack. His captain Sean Cavanagh may be a contender here, or elsewhere - and Tiernan McCann deserves a mention as a modern-day half-forward too.

Irish News Ulster All-Stars 2015: Kenny Archer's picks
Irish News Ulster All-Stars 2015: Kenny Archer's picks

FULL-FORWARDS


Darren McCurry (Tyrone)


Didn’t even make our initial long-list, although he was close, but the Edendork man’s performances in Croke Park sent his ratings soaring. Scored a goal against Donegal, but then his form dipped and was even dropped. Returned to impress by playing further forward against Tipperary and earned some ‘man of the match’ accolades against both Sligo and Monaghan. Great movement and speed, and accurate from frees. Patrick McBrearty began more brightly but faded.

Irish News Ulster All-Stars 2015: Kenny Archer's picks
Irish News Ulster All-Stars 2015: Kenny Archer's picks

Conor McManus (Monaghan)


The third Clontibret clubman in my selection is among the top three forwards in the entire Championship. Produces some jaw-dropping scores from play, despite being tightly-marked, and doubled-teamed, and driven further away from the posts. Scored five points from play even against the massed defences of Donegal and Tyrone. Constantly moving to offer himself as an outlet, exhibits pace and accuracy, including from frees.

Irish News Ulster All-Stars 2015: Kenny Archer's picks
Irish News Ulster All-Stars 2015: Kenny Archer's picks

Seán Quigley (Fermanagh)


An inconsistent performer but when he was on form he was brilliant, and there must be at least one Fermanagh man on this year’s team. I’ve put him in this jersey to reflect the 14 points he scored against Antrim, a phenomenal achievement in senior inter-county football. He also scored a superb winning point against Roscommon and troubled the Dublin defence. Tyrone’s Connor McAliskey deserves a shout-out, and his county captain could be included here, but the nod goes to Fermanagh’s Big Sean.

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